Assistant football coach contracts released as school studies possible changes

It's odd timing, but Maryland released the contracts of head football coach Randy Edsall's assistant coaches today even as the school continued its review of the program. The school has not ruled out staff changes.

The timing was happenstance. We media bloodhounds had requested the pacts months ago and are receiving them now. These contracts sometimes take months to finalize. We got eight of the nine contracts today and were told that offensive coordinator Gary Crowton's pact was not yet available. I think Crowton deserves extra for designing those cryptic flash cards in which Maryland signals in plays to the offense. I spent most of the season trying to figure out the significance of photos of Regis Philbin and Scott Van Pelt.

I reported Saturday that Maryland is engaged in a "top to bottom" review of Edsall's program. Those connected to the program have not ruled out the possibility of changes to Edsall's nine-member staff following a season in which Maryland lost its last eight games. Edsall's job is safe.

Here are some highlights of the contracts:

*Defensive coordinator Todd Bradford's deal calls for $262,500 in base salary and four installments of $21,875 -- one each for radio and TV appearances, personal appearances, fund-raising and endorsements. That totals $350,000 in guaranteed pay. There are some possible increases built in as well as a series of bonus targets.

Here is a serious question: did any of you actually see Bradford do a radio or TV appearance during the season? I'm not sure he was permitted to do many given that coach Edsall is the voice of the program. Maybe I missed some of his gigs?

*It looks like Maryland tied the assistant coach pacts to Edsall -- if he leaves, their deals end.

* Check out the PDFs of the contracts to the left under the 'Related' header.